C1 Passive & Reported Speech 16 min read Difícil

Estructuras de Información Pasiva (Se dice que él es...)

Dominar estas estructuras hará que tu inglés suene autoritario y preciso, como un verdadero hablante C1.
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Practícalo

Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use these structures to report information objectively without naming a specific source, common in journalism and academic writing.

  • Use 'It + passive verb + that-clause' for general statements like 'It is said that he is rich'.
  • Use 'Subject + passive verb + to-infinitive' for personal focus like 'He is said to be rich'.
  • Match the infinitive tense (simple, continuous, perfect) to the timing of the reported action.
👤 (Subject) + 🗣️ (Passive Verb) + 🔗 (to + Verb)

Overview

### Resumen
Las estructuras de reporte en pasiva, ejemplificadas por frases como He is said to be..., son herramientas sofisticadas para transmitir información, opiniones o creencias sin identificar explícitamente la fuente ni respaldar completamente la veracidad de la afirmación. Esta construcción gramatical es un sello distintivo del nivel C1 en inglés, permitiendo matices, formalidad y un grado de desapego del contenido reportado. Encontrarás estas estructuras con frecuencia en el discurso formal, incluyendo reportajes de noticias, artículos académicos, comunicaciones oficiales y discusiones profesionales.
Su utilidad radica en la capacidad de presentar información como generalmente aceptada, ampliamente rumoreada u observada objetivamente, en lugar de una afirmación directa de un individuo específico. Al emplear esta construcción, puedes transmitir información compleja con autoridad e imparcialidad, influyendo sutilmente en cómo la audiencia percibe el mensaje. Es una elección lingüística estratégica para situaciones en las que atribuir una fuente directa es imposible, irrelevante o indeseable, como al discutir la opinión pública o desarrollos no confirmados.
### Cómo Funciona esta Gramática
En esencia, la estructura Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + Infinitive es una aplicación especializada de la voz pasiva combinada con una cláusula de infinitivo. Este mecanismo permite que el sujeto de una cláusula reportada, que típicamente seguiría a that en una construcción activa (People say that he is a genius), se convierta en el sujeto de la oración principal (He is said to be a genius). Esta transformación cambia el enfoque temático de la fuente del reporte a la entidad sobre la que se reporta.
Este fenómeno gramatical a menudo se conoce en lingüística como subject-to-subject raising (elevación de sujeto a sujeto). El sujeto de la cláusula incrustada (por ejemplo, he en that he is a genius) 'se eleva' para convertirse en el sujeto de la cláusula principal, lo que desencadena la transformación pasiva del verbo de reporte. El verbo de reporte en sí (say, believe, know, think, report, understand, expect, allege, claim, consider) se coloca en voz pasiva, típicamente formado con be + participio pasado (por ejemplo, is said, are believed).
El elemento crucial que sigue al verbo de reporte pasivo es la frase de infinitivo. Este infinitivo no es simplemente to + verbo base, sino que se selecciona cuidadosamente para reflejar el tiempo de la acción o estado reportado en relación con el momento del reporte. Esta precisa relación temporal es lo que otorga a estas estructuras su sofisticación de nivel C1, permitiéndote comunicar si el evento reportado está ocurriendo ahora, ocurrió en el pasado o se espera en el futuro, todo dentro de un marco conciso e indirecto.
Considera la diferencia fundamental: They say that the new CEO will arrive tomorrow. (Reporte activo y directo) se convierte en The new CEO is said to arrive tomorrow. (Reporte pasivo, indirecto, centrado en el CEO). El principio lingüístico que impulsa esto es la capacidad de condensar información y presentarla desde una perspectiva diferente, enfatizando el contenido reportado sobre el reportero.
### Patrón de Formación
Dominar la formación de las estructuras de reporte pasivo depende de emparejar correctamente la forma pasiva del verbo de reporte con el infinitivo apropiado. El patrón central es Subject + Passive Reporting Verb + Infinitive Phrase. La elección del infinitivo (to be, to have been, to do, to have done) depende enteramente del tiempo y aspecto de la acción reportada original en relación con el verbo de reporte.
Verbos de Reporte Pasivo Comunes:
  • say (is said, are said, was said, were said)
  • believe (is believed, are believed, was believed, were believed)
  • know (is known, are known, was known, were known)
  • think (is thought, are thought, was thought, were thought)
  • report (is reported, are reported, was reported, were reported)
  • understand (is understood, are understood, was understood, were understood)
  • expect (is expected, are expected, was expected, were expected)
  • allege (is alleged, are alleged, was alleged, were alleged)
  • claim (is claimed, are claimed, was claimed, were claimed)
  • consider (is considered, are considered, was considered, were considered)
Desglosemos las opciones de infinitivo según las relaciones temporales:
1. Acción Reportada Simultánea o General Respecto al Reporte (Acción Presente/Futura):
Usa el infinitivo simple (to + verbo base) o to be + complemento/participio presente.
| Estructura Original It is said that... | Estructura de Reporte Pasivo (He is said to be...) |
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| It is said that he works hard. | He is said to work hard. |
| It is believed that she is intelligent. | She is believed to be intelligent. |
| It is understood that they are preparing for the exam. | They are understood to be preparing for the exam. |
| It is expected that the new policy will succeed. | The new policy is expected to succeed. |
  • Ejemplo: The CEO is believed to be in negotiations with a potential buyer. (Creencia actual, negociaciones actuales)
  • Ejemplo: These ancient ruins are known to attract thousands of tourists annually. (Conocimiento actual, verdad general)
2. Acción Reportada Ocurrió Antes del Reporte (Acción Pasada):
Usa el infinitivo perfecto (to have + participio pasado) o to have been + complemento/participio presente.
| Estructura Original It is said that... | Estructura de Reporte Pasivo (He is said to be...) |
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| It is reported that he fled the country. | He is reported to have fled the country. |
| It is thought that the document was forged. | The document is thought to have been forged. |
| It is alleged that she was embezzling funds. | She is alleged to have been embezzling funds. |
| It is claimed that they had finished the project. | They are claimed to have finished the project. |
  • Ejemplo: The ancient manuscript is believed to have been written in the 14th century. (Creencia actual, escritura en el pasado)
  • Ejemplo: The suspect is said to have disappeared without a trace last night. (Reporte actual, desaparición en el pasado)
3. Acción Reportada en Voz Pasiva (Simultánea o Anterior):
Si la cláusula reportada original ya está en pasiva, el infinitivo reflejará esto usando to be + participio pasado o to have been + participio pasado.
| Estructura Original It is said that... | Estructura de Reporte Pasivo (He is said to be...) |
| :----------------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------ |
| It is said that the bridge is being built. | The bridge is said to be being built. |
| It is believed that the decision was made yesterday. | The decision is believed to have been made yesterday. |
Nota la construcción to be being built, algo torpe, para acciones pasivas simultáneas. Aunque gramaticalmente correcta, los hablantes nativos a menudo prefieren la construcción It is said that... para mayor claridad en estos casos específicos, o reformulan completamente.
Resumen de Elecciones de Infinitivo:
| Momento de la Acción Reportada Respecto al Verbo de Reporte | Forma del Infinitivo | Ejemplo |
| :------------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------- | :--------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Mismo Tiempo / Verdad General (Activa) | to + Verbo Base | He is believed to possess extraordinary skills. |
| Mismo Tiempo / Verdad General (Estática/Progresiva) | to be + Complemento / to be + -ing | She is known to be a gifted speaker. / They are understood to be living abroad. |
| Acción Previa (Activa) | to have + Participio Pasado | The company is reported to have announced record profits. |
| Acción Previa (Estática/Pasiva) | to have been + Complemento / to have been + Participio Pasado | The artifact is thought to have been lost for centuries. / He is believed to have been innocent all along. |
### Cuándo Usarlo
Emplear estructuras de reporte pasivo ofrece ventajas distintas, contribuyendo principalmente a la formalidad, objetividad y un distanciamiento estratégico de la información. Comprender estos contextos es crucial para una comunicación efectiva de nivel C1.
  • Escritura Formal y Académica: Estas estructuras son omnipresentes en artículos académicos, informes científicos y noticias. Permiten presentar datos, teorías o hallazgos como hechos generalmente aceptados o ampliamente reportados, otorgando un aire de objetividad y rigor intelectual. Al evitar pronombres personales (I believe) o atribuciones directas (Dr. Smith said), el foco permanece en la información en sí y no en quien la transmite.
  • Ejemplo: The newly discovered gene is believed to play a critical role in cellular regeneration.
  • Ejemplo: The economic downturn is understood to be a consequence of multiple global factors.
  • Reportar Información No Confirmada o Rumores: Cuando necesites compartir información que no ha sido verificada oficialmente, o cuando la fuente desea permanecer anónima, el reporte pasivo proporciona un conveniente 'escudo' gramatical. Permite difundir información sin garantizar personalmente su veracidad absoluta.
  • Ejemplo: The acquisition of the rival firm is rumored to be finalized by the end of the quarter.
  • Ejemplo: She is alleged to have been involved in the data breach, though no charges have been filed.
  • Transmitir Opiniones o Creencias Generales: Para sentimientos generalizados o conocimiento común que no se origina de una única fuente identificable, estas estructuras encapsulan eficientemente el pensamiento colectivo. Esto es particularmente útil al discutir la percepción pública o suposiciones ampliamente aceptadas.
  • Ejemplo: Eating a balanced diet is known to contribute significantly to long-term health.
  • Ejemplo: The new art installation is said to have divided critics.
  • Concisión y Elegancia Estilística: Comparado con la construcción It is said that..., elevar el sujeto a la cláusula principal (He is said to be...) a menudo resulta en una oración más ágil e impactante. Esto mejora la legibilidad y mantiene un tono sofisticado, evitando la sensación ligeramente más informal de reportar directamente la opinión general.
  • Considera la economía: It is thought that the manager made a mistake. vs. The manager is thought to have made a mistake. La segunda es más directa y concisa manteniendo la objetividad.
  • Comunicación Profesional: En entornos profesionales, como reuniones de negocios o comunicaciones oficiales, estas estructuras ayudan a mantener una distancia profesional y a presentar la información con cautela. Son un elemento básico del reporte cortés e indirecto, especialmente al discutir temas sensibles o desarrollos futuros potenciales.
  • Ejemplo (correo electrónico de trabajo): The revised budget figures are projected to be available by Tuesday afternoon.
Perspectiva Cultural: El uso predominante de estas estructuras en el inglés formal a menudo refleja un valor cultural otorgado a la objetividad y al reporte cauteloso. Es un mecanismo lingüístico para evitar afirmaciones definitivas cuando la certeza es esquiva, o cuando presentar información desde una postura neutral es primordial. Esto puede ser particularmente importante en campos como el derecho, el periodismo y la investigación científica.
### Errores Comunes
A pesar de su utilidad, las estructuras de reporte pasivo son un terreno fértil para errores comunes, especialmente en lo que respecta a la aplicación correcta de los infinitivos y la transferencia de estructuras del español.
1. Confusión del Tiempo del Infinitivo:
El error más frecuente es usar el infinitivo simple (to do) cuando se requiere el infinitivo perfecto (to have done), o viceversa. Esto ocurre porque en español, la distinción temporal dentro de las cláusulas subordinadas no siempre se marca con formas de infinitivo tan explícitas como en inglés.
  • Error: He is said to do the work yesterday.
  • Por qué: En español, podríamos decir Se dice que hizo el trabajo ayer. La estructura Se dice que... no cambia de forma para indicar el tiempo pasado del verbo principal. Al traducir directamente, se tiende a usar el infinitivo simple. Sin embargo, en inglés, la acción de do the work ocurrió *antes* del momento del reporte (is said), por lo que se necesita el infinitivo perfecto.
  • Correcto: He is said to have done the work yesterday.
2. Uso Incorrecto del Infinitivo Perfecto Pasivo:
Otro error relacionado con el tiempo y el aspecto es el uso de to have been + participio pasado cuando la acción original era activa y anterior.
  • Error: The project is thought to have been completed by the team last week. (Si el equipo completó activamente el proyecto).
  • Por qué: El español usa Se piensa que el equipo completó.... La estructura pasiva to have been completed se usa cuando la acción reportada *en sí misma* era pasiva en el original (It is thought that the project was completed...). Si la acción original fue activa (the team completed...), el infinitivo perfecto activo (to have completed) es el correcto.
  • Correcto: The project is thought to have been completed by the team last week. (Si el foco es que el proyecto *fue completado*). O, si se quiere enfatizar la acción del equipo: The team is thought to have completed the project last week.
3. Traducción Literal de Estructuras Españolas:
Los hablantes de español a menudo intentan construir estas frases basándose en las estructuras pasivas reflejas o impersonales del español (se dice, se cree).
  • Error: It is said that he is a liar. (Aunque gramaticalmente correcto, no es la estructura de reporte pasivo que estamos discutiendo, que eleva el sujeto).
  • Error (más grave): Intentar crear una estructura similar a Él es dicho ser un mentiroso. Esto suena muy antinatural y literario en español, y es una traducción demasiado literal del inglés.
  • Por qué: El español tiene se dice para la impersonalidad, mientras que el inglés usa la voz pasiva con el sujeto elevado. La estructura is said en inglés no significa literalmente es dicho en el sentido de que alguien lo está diciendo activamente en ese momento, sino que es el *contenido* de lo que se dice.
  • Correcto: He is said to be a liar.
4. Omisión del Infinitivo o Uso de that-clause:
A veces, por familiaridad con la estructura It is said that..., los estudiantes no pasan a la forma más avanzada y concisa con el infinitivo.
  • Error: They believe that she is the best candidate. (Correcto, pero menos sofisticado).
  • Por qué: Se prefiere la forma con infinitivo para mayor concisión y formalidad en contextos C1.
  • Correcto: She is believed to be the best candidate.
### Contraste con Patrones Similares
Es fundamental distinguir las estructuras de reporte pasivo (He is said to be...) de otras construcciones que pueden parecer similares pero tienen funciones y formaciones distintas.
1. Estructura It + Passive Reporting Verb + that-clause:
Esta es la forma menos elevada y más directa de expresar la misma idea. Es gramaticalmente correcta y muy común, pero menos concisa y formal que la estructura de reporte pasivo con sujeto elevado.
| Estructura de Reporte Pasivo (Sujeto Elevado) | Estructura It + that-clause | Notas |
| :------------------------------------------ | :-------------------------- | :---- |
| He is said to be a genius. | It is said that he is a genius. | La forma elevada es más concisa y centra la atención en 'He'. |
| She is believed to have been promoted. | It is believed that she was promoted. | La forma It + that-clause puede usar un tiempo verbal más directo en la subordinada. |
| The company is expected to launch a new product. | It is expected that the company will launch a new product. | La forma elevada es más elegante para el futuro. |
2. Verbos de Acción en Voz Activa con Infinitivo:
Algunos verbos de acción en inglés toman un infinitivo de forma activa, pero no necesariamente implican reporte o creencia generalizada.
| Estructura de Reporte Pasivo | Verbo de Acción Activo + Infinitivo | Notas |
| :-------------------------- | :-------------------------------- | :---- |
| He is known to be honest. (Generalmente aceptado) | He seems to be honest. (Impresión personal) | Seems es un verbo de percepción, no de reporte general. |
| They are expected to arrive soon. (Expectativa general) | They plan to arrive soon. (Intención personal/grupal) | Plan indica una decisión activa, no una expectativa externa. |
3. Verbos de Percepción (Ver, Oír, Sentir) + Objeto + Infinitivo/Participio Presente:
Estas estructuras se centran en la percepción directa de una acción, no en un reporte generalizado.
| Estructura de Reporte Pasivo | Verbos de Percepción + Objeto + Infinitivo/Participio |
| :-------------------------- | :------------------------------------------------- |
| He is said to be working. (Se reporta que trabaja) | I saw him working. (Percepción directa de la acción) |
| The event was reported to have started. (Reporte) | We heard the music start. (Percepción directa del inicio) |
La diferencia clave es que los verbos de reporte pasivo transmiten información sobre lo que *otras personas* dicen, creen o piensan, mientras que los verbos de percepción describen lo que *el hablante* ha experimentado sensorialmente.
### Preguntas Frecuentes (FAQ)
1. ¿Puedo usar estas estructuras con cualquier verbo?
No, solo con un conjunto específico de verbos que expresan opinión, creencia, conocimiento, reporte o percepción general. Los más comunes son say, believe, think, know, report, understand, expect, allege, claim, consider, assume, suppose. Otros verbos, como eat o run, no se usan en estas estructuras de reporte pasivo.
2. ¿Cuál es la diferencia entre He is said to be... y He is said to have been...?
La diferencia radica en el tiempo de la acción reportada. He is said to be... se usa cuando la acción o estado reportado es actual o general (ej. He is said to be wealthy - se dice que es rico *ahora*).
He is said to have been... se usa cuando la acción o estado reportado ocurrió en el pasado (ej. He is said to have been fired last week - se dice que fue despedido *la semana pasada*).
3. ¿Es incorrecto usar It is said that... en lugar de He is said to be...?
No es incorrecto, pero es menos sofisticado y conciso. La estructura It is said that... es perfectamente válida y común, especialmente en inglés hablado o en contextos menos formales. Sin embargo, para alcanzar el nivel C1 y demostrar un dominio más avanzado, es preferible usar la estructura con el sujeto elevado (He is said to be...) cuando sea posible, ya que permite una mayor fluidez y elegancia estilística, además de ser más directa en su enfoque.
4. ¿Cómo sé si debo usar to do o to have done?
Debes pensar en la relación temporal entre la acción que se reporta y el momento en que se realiza el reporte. Si la acción reportada está ocurriendo o es una verdad general *al mismo tiempo* que el reporte, usa el infinitivo simple (to do). Si la acción reportada ocurrió *antes* del reporte, usa el infinitivo perfecto (to have done).
Por ejemplo: The company is expected to grow (se espera que crezca *en el futuro* o *en general*). The company is expected to have grown by 20% (se espera que *ya haya crecido* un 20% para un punto en el futuro, o se reporta que *ya ha crecido*).

Personal Structure: Subject + Passive Verb + Infinitive

Time of Action Infinitive Form Example Structure Example Sentence
Present/Future
Simple (to do)
is said to [verb]
He is said to live in Paris.
Present Continuous
Continuous (to be doing)
is thought to be [verb-ing]
She is thought to be sleeping.
Past
Perfect (to have done)
is believed to have [past part.]
They are believed to have left.
Past Continuous
Perfect Continuous (to have been doing)
is alleged to have been [verb-ing]
He is alleged to have been lying.

Common Passive Reporting Verbs

Verb Passive Form (Impersonal) Passive Form (Personal)
Say
It is said that...
Subject is said to...
Think
It is thought that...
Subject is thought to...
Believe
It is believed that...
Subject is believed to...
Report
It is reported that...
Subject is reported to...
Claim
It is claimed that...
Subject is claimed to...
Allege
It is alleged that...
Subject is alleged to...

Meanings

A formal way to report thoughts, beliefs, or rumors without identifying the speaker, often used to create a sense of distance or objectivity.

1

General Consensus

Reporting what is widely believed or accepted by the public or a specific group.

“It is generally accepted that climate change is accelerating.”

“The company is thought to be the market leader.”

2

Rumors and Speculation

Reporting unconfirmed information or gossip in a way that avoids personal responsibility for the claim.

“He is rumored to be dating a famous actress.”

“The CEO is said to be considering a resignation.”

3

Expectations and Requirements

Reporting what is expected to happen or what people are required to do based on general knowledge.

“The train is expected to arrive ten minutes late.”

“Passengers are requested to remain seated.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Estructuras de Información Pasiva (Se dice que él es...)
Verbo de Reporte Forma Pasiva Infinitivo para Presente/General Infinitivo para Pasado
Say
is/are said
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Believe
is/are believed
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Know
is/are known
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Think
is/are thought
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Report
is/are reported
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Expect
is/are expected
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle
Understand
is/are understood
to be / to + Base Verb
to have been / to have + Past Participle

Espectro de formalidad

Formal
He is reputed to possess considerable wealth.

He is reputed to possess considerable wealth. (Financial status)

Neutral
He is said to be very rich.

He is said to be very rich. (Financial status)

Informal
Word is he's loaded.

Word is he's loaded. (Financial status)

Jerga
I heard he's got mad stacks.

I heard he's got mad stacks. (Financial status)

Estructuras de Reporte Pasivo: La Red

He is said to be...

Componentes Clave

  • Verbo Pasivo is/are believed
  • Infinitivo to be/to have been

Verbos Clave

  • Say declarar
  • Believe aceptar como cierto
  • Think considerar
  • Report comunicar información
  • Expect anticipar

Formas de Infinitivo

  • to be (presente) estado continuo
  • to have been (pasado) estado completado
  • to + Base V (presente) acción continua
  • to have + V3 (pasado) acción completada

Usos y Contextos para el Reporte Pasivo

📰

Formal

  • • Noticias
  • • Artículos académicos
  • • Declaraciones oficiales
💬

Informal

  • • Rumores/chismes
  • • Opiniones casuales
  • • Publicaciones en redes sociales
⚙️

Función

  • • Sonar objetivo
  • • Evitar atribución
  • • Consenso general

Eligiendo el Infinitivo Correcto en Reporte Pasivo

1

¿La acción/estado reportado está ocurriendo AHORA o es general?

YES
Usa `to be` / `to` + Verbo Base
NO
Ir al siguiente paso
2

¿La acción/estado reportado ocurrió ANTES del reporte?

YES
Usa `to have been` / `to have` + Participio Pasado
NO
Reevalúa el tiempo (considera formas continuas si fue continuo en el pasado)

Estructuras de Reporte: Directo vs. Pasivo

Reporte Directo (Activo)
People say he is rich. Indica directamente la fuente.
They believe she left. Enfatiza a las personas que creen.
Reporte Pasivo (It is said that...)
It is said that he is rich. Se enfoca en la declaración general.
It is believed that she left. Reporte general, impersonal.
Reporte Pasivo (He is said to be...)
He is said to be rich. Se enfoca en la persona/cosa reportada.
She is believed to have left. Más conciso, resalta el sujeto.
Regístrate gratis para leer la explicación completa

Ejemplos por nivel

1

People say he is a good doctor.

2

They think the movie is long.

3

Everyone says the food is great.

4

I hear he is from Italy.

1

It is said that the city is beautiful.

2

People believe that he is very rich.

3

It is thought that the test is hard.

4

They say that she is a famous singer.

1

It is reported that the weather will be bad.

2

He is said to be a very kind man.

3

It is believed that the fire started in the kitchen.

4

The company is thought to be very successful.

1

The athlete is expected to win the gold medal.

2

It is claimed that the new drug has no side effects.

3

The painting is believed to be a genuine Picasso.

4

He is rumored to have resigned from his post.

1

The CEO is alleged to have been embezzling funds for years.

2

It is widely understood that the treaty is no longer valid.

3

The species was thought to have gone extinct in the 19th century.

4

The manuscript is reputed to be the oldest in existence.

1

The diplomat is purported to have acted as a double agent during the war.

2

It is surmised that the civilization collapsed due to prolonged drought.

3

The author is widely held to have revolutionized the modern novel.

4

The suspect is reported to be evading capture in the mountains.

Fácil de confundir

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs Supposed to vs. Said to

Learners often use 'supposed to' when they mean 'said to'. 'Supposed to' often implies an obligation or a failed expectation.

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs It is said that vs. He is said to

Mixing the 'that' clause with the 'to' infinitive.

Passive Reporting Structures (He is said to be...) vs Passive vs. Active Reporting

Using 'People say' in a formal essay.

Errores comunes

✗

He say he is happy.

✓

He says he is happy.

Subject-verb agreement error.
✗

People is say he is rich.

✓

People say he is rich.

Incorrect use of 'be' with active verbs.
✗

They thinks it is good.

✓

They think it is good.

Adding -s to plural subjects.
✗

I am hear he is nice.

✓

I hear he is nice.

Using 'am' unnecessarily.
✗

It said that he is rich.

✓

It is said that he is rich.

Missing the auxiliary 'be' in passive.
✗

He is say to be rich.

✓

He is said to be rich.

Using base form instead of past participle.
✗

It is thought he rich.

✓

It is thought that he is rich.

Missing the 'that' or the verb in the clause.
✗

He is said that he is rich.

✓

He is said to be rich.

Mixing the impersonal and personal structures.
✗

It is believed to be rich.

✓

He is believed to be rich.

Using 'It' as a subject for a personal attribute.
✗

He is thought have left.

✓

He is thought to have left.

Missing 'to' in the infinitive.
✗

He is alleged to steal the money yesterday.

✓

He is alleged to have stolen the money yesterday.

Using simple infinitive for a past action.
✗

It is reported the company to be closing.

✓

The company is reported to be closing.

Incorrect structure for reporting ongoing actions.
✗

He is understood to being working hard.

✓

He is understood to be working hard.

Using 'being' instead of 'be' for continuous infinitive.
✗

The suspect is claimed to have been escaped.

✓

The suspect is claimed to have escaped.

Unnecessary passive inside the infinitive (escaped is intransitive).

Patrones de oraciones

It is ___ that ___.

Subject is said to ___.

Subject is thought to have ___.

Subject is alleged to have been ___.

Real World Usage

News Headlines constant

Local Man Said to Be Missing After Storm

Academic Journals very common

The results are thought to indicate a shift in climate patterns.

Legal Proceedings constant

The defendant is alleged to have committed the robbery.

Office Gossip common

She's rumored to be getting a promotion.

Travel Announcements occasional

The flight is expected to be delayed.

History Books very common

The king was believed to have died in battle.

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💡

¡Elige bien tu verbo!

La elección del verbo de reporte (say, believe, expect) cambia sutilmente el matiz de tu declaración. It is alleged implica algo más grave que It is said.
⚠️

¡Cuidado con el tiempo del infinitivo!

La trampa más grande es usar el infinitivo incorrecto (to be vs. to have been). Siempre pregúntate: ¿la acción reportada ocurrió al mismo tiempo que el reporte, o antes?
🎯

Suena más académico

En trabajos universitarios o presentaciones formales, usar estas estructuras añade objetividad y un toque académico. Hace que tus afirmaciones suenen más investigadas y menos como una opinión personal.
🌍

Inglés vs. otros idiomas

Aunque existen estructuras similares en muchos idiomas, el uso exacto del infinitivo puede variar. No traduzcas directamente de tu idioma nativo; siempre revisa las reglas de tiempo en inglés.
💡

Simplifica cuando sea posible

A veces, puedes omitir to be después de considered. Por ejemplo, He is considered brilliant suele estar bien en lugar de He is considered to be brilliant si la claridad no se pierde.

Smart Tips

Switch to 'It is widely believed that...' or 'It is often claimed that...'.

People say that technology is bad for kids. → It is often claimed that technology has a detrimental effect on children.

Always use 'to have + past participle'.

He is said to be a hero in the war. → He is said to have been a hero in the war.

Use 'rumored to' or 'alleged to' to protect yourself from sounding like you're stating a fact.

He stole the money. → He is alleged to have stolen the money.

Check for 'that' immediately after the reporting verb.

It is said him to be a doctor. → It is said that he is a doctor.

Pronunciación

/hiː ɪz sed tə biː rɪtʃ/

Weak form of 'to'

In the personal structure, the word 'to' is usually unstressed and pronounced as a schwa /tə/.

It is be-LIEVED that...

Stress on reporting verb

The main stress usually falls on the past participle of the reporting verb (e.g., 'said', 'thought', 'believed').

Falling intonation for facts

He is said to be the best. ↘

Conveys a sense of reporting a known or accepted fact.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Remember 'IT' for the whole sentence (It is said that...), and 'TO' for the person (He is said TO...).

Asociación visual

Imagine a news anchor behind a desk. They don't say 'My friend told me'; they say 'It is reported that...'. The desk represents the distance and formality of the structure.

Rhyme

If you start with 'It', a 'that' is a fit. If you start with 'He', a 'to' it must be!

Story

A detective is investigating a crime. He doesn't know who did it, so he writes in his notebook: 'The suspect is believed to have escaped.' He uses this to sound professional and avoid blaming the wrong person too early.

Word Web

allegepurportreputerumorclaimunderstandsuppose

Desafío

Write three sentences about a famous celebrity using 'is said to be', 'is thought to have', and 'is rumored to be doing'.

Notas culturales

British journalism (especially the BBC or broadsheets) uses these structures extensively to maintain a 'neutral' and 'unbiased' stance.

In Western academia, using 'It is thought that' is preferred over 'I think' to make the research seem more universal and less personal.

The word 'alleged' is legally crucial. Media must say 'The alleged thief' or 'He is alleged to have stolen' until a person is convicted to avoid lawsuits.

These structures evolved from the Latin 'dicitur' (it is said) and 'videtur' (it seems), which were common in legal and scholarly texts.

Inicios de conversación

“

What is a place in your country that is said to be haunted?

“

Which celebrity is rumored to be starting a new project right now?

“

In your field of study, what is a theory that is widely held to be true?

“

Discuss a historical figure who is alleged to have committed a crime that was never proven.

Temas para diario

Write a short news report about a fictional bank robbery. Use at least three different passive reporting verbs.
Describe a local legend or myth from your hometown using formal reporting structures.
Write a formal critique of a popular movie, using distancing language to discuss its reception.

Errores comunes

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

Incorrect

Correcto

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Test Yourself

Elige la forma correcta para completar la frase.

The ancient city ___ to have existed for over 2,000 years.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is believed
La ciudad es un sujeto singular, por lo que is believed es la forma pasiva correcta. El infinitivo to have existed muestra correctamente que la acción ocurrió en el pasado.
Encuentra y corrige el error en la frase. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

The documents are said have been lost.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The documents are said to have been lost.
La estructura de infinitivo correcta después de un verbo de reporte pasivo es to + forma base del verbo, o to have + participio pasado para acciones pasadas. Aquí, to have been lost es correcto.
Qué frase utiliza correctamente la estructura de reporte pasivo? Opción múltiple

Choose the correct sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is known to have studied abroad last year.
La acción de 'studying abroad' ocurrió 'last year' (en el pasado), por lo que se requiere el infinitivo perfecto to have studied.

Score: /3

Ejercicios de practica

8 exercises
Choose the correct form to complete the sentence. Opción múltiple

The CEO is believed ______ the company last night.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: to have left
Since the action (leaving) happened in the past (last night), we must use the perfect infinitive 'to have left'.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb 'say'.

It ______ that the new law will be passed next week.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said
This is the impersonal passive structure: It + is + past participle.
Identify the error in the following sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

He is thought that he is the best player in the team.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is thought to be
You cannot use a 'that' clause immediately after 'He is thought'. You must use a 'to' infinitive.
Rewrite the sentence starting with 'The suspect'. Sentence Transformation

People believe that the suspect is hiding in the woods.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The suspect is believed to be hiding in the woods.
The personal structure uses Subject + is believed + to be [verb-ing] for continuous actions.
Is the following statement true or false? True False Rule

The structure 'It is said that...' is more informal than 'People say...'.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: False
Passive reporting structures are more formal and objective than active ones.
Complete the dialogue. Dialogue Completion

A: Have you heard about the new manager? B: Yes, he ______ very strict.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is said to be
The personal structure 'is said to be' is the natural way to report a rumor about a person.
Which of these verbs can be used in a passive reporting structure? Grammar Sorting

Select the correct group.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: think, believe, say, claim
Only reporting/mental state verbs can be used in these structures.
Match the active sentence to its passive reporting equivalent. Match Pairs

1. People say he is rich. 2. People think he was rich.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-He is said to be rich; 2-He is thought to have been rich.
The first is present, the second is past reporting.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

12 exercises
Completa la frase con el verbo de reporte pasivo y el infinitivo correctos. Completar huecos

The ancient scroll ___ to contain secret knowledge.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is believed
Completa la frase con la estructura de reporte pasivo correcta. Completar huecos

The suspect ___ the country before the police arrived.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: is thought to have fled
Identifica y corrige el error en la frase. Error Correction

The new building is expected finished next month.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The new building is expected to be finished next month.
Corrige el error gramatical en la frase. Error Correction

He is said to being a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: He is said to have been a brilliant scientist, but he retired last year.
Selecciona la frase que utiliza la estructura de reporte pasivo correctamente. Opción múltiple

Which sentence is correct?

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The climate is believed to be changing rapidly.
Elige la opción correcta. Opción múltiple

Select the correct option:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The ancient manuscript is thought to have been written by a monk.
Traduce la siguiente frase al inglés usando una estructura de reporte pasivo. Traducción

Translate into English: 'Se dice que el concierto ha sido cancelado.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The concert is said to have been cancelled.","It is said that the concert has been cancelled."]
Traduce la frase, centrándote en la estructura de reporte pasivo. Traducción

Translate into English: 'Se cree que el sospechoso estaba mintiendo durante el interrogatorio.'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: ["The suspect is believed to have been lying during the interrogation."]
Ordena estas palabras para formar una frase. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: She is said to be smart.
Reordena las palabras para formar una frase de reporte pasivo gramaticalmente correcta. Sentence Reorder

Arrange these words into a sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: The goods are reported to have been smuggled across the border.
Relaciona las frases con las terminaciones de infinitivo correctas: Match Pairs

Match the sentences with the correct infinitive endings:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched
Completa las frases uniendo las mitades. Match Pairs

Complete the sentences by matching the halves.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: matched

Score: /12

Preguntas frecuentes (8)

No, only 'reporting verbs' like `say`, `think`, `believe`, `claim`, `allege`, `report`, `understand`, and `expect` work.

The meaning is the same, but 'He is said' focuses on the person, while 'It is said' focuses on the whole situation. 'He is said' is generally considered more advanced.

Use `to have been` (Perfect Infinitive) when the action you are reporting happened *before* the time of reporting. Example: `He is said to have been a spy in the 80s`.

It is less common in casual speech. In conversation, we usually say `I've heard that...` or `People say...`.

Yes! You can say `It was thought that...` or `He was believed to be...` to report what people thought in the past.

Mostly, yes. It implies that a claim has been made but not yet proven, which is why it's so common in legal and police contexts.

Because it creates 'distance' between the speaker and the information. You aren't saying *you* believe it; you're saying *it is believed* by others.

No. You cannot say `He is said that he is...`. You must use the infinitive: `He is said to be...`.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

Regístrate gratis para practicar

In Other Languages

Spanish moderate

Se dice que... / Se cree que...

Spanish prefers the 'It is said that' equivalent almost exclusively.

French moderate

On dit que... / Il est dit que...

English 'He is said to' must be translated as 'On dit qu'il...' in French.

German high

Man sagt... / Er soll ... sein

German uses the modal 'sollen' to express 'is said to'.

Japanese high

...to iwarete iru (〜と言われている)

The structure is very similar, but Japanese word order is Subject-Object-Verb.

Arabic moderate

Yuqal 'anna... (يُقال أن)

Arabic rarely uses a personal infinitive structure for reporting.

Chinese low

Jùshuō (据说)

Chinese uses a lexical marker (Jùshuō) rather than a grammatical passive construction.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Pasiva Avanzada: Reportando Rumores y Creencias (Se dice que él es...)
Next
Preguntas reportadas con palabras de interrogación (Quién, Qué, Por qué)

Learn These First

B1 Requires

Voz Pasiva: Formación Básica (be + V3)

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B1 Requires

Verbos en inglés seguidos de infinitivo (want to, need to)

### Overview Dominar el uso de los verbos seguidos de infinitivo es uno de esos hitos que marcan tu transición de un ni...

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C1 Requires

Gerundios Pasivos: Being (recibiendo la acción)

### Overview El gerundio pasivo (`passive gerund`), formado invariablemente por la combinación de `being` + el **partic...

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